An unidentified highly toxic substance in the Oder river, which runs through Poland and Germany, appears to be the cause of a mass die-off of fish, the German state of Brandenburg's environment ministry said. An analysis of river water taken this week showed evidence of "synthetic chemical substances, very probably also with toxic effects for vertebrates," the ministry said on Thursday, adding that it remained unclear how the substance entered the water. According to local broadcaster rbb, the state laboratory found high levels of mercury in the water samples. The head of Poland's national water management authority told private broadcaster Polsat News that the presence of mercury in the water had yet to be confirmed, however. "At the moment, these are press reports. We have no confirmation regarding mercury in the Oder," Przemyslaw Daca, the head of Polish Waters, said. The ministry in Brandenburg, the state surrounding Berlin, said it had not yet been possible to assess … [Read more...] about Mass fish die-off in German-Polish river blamed on unknown toxic substance
Fishing
Coast guards stand side by side with fishermen
Accordingly, the organizing panel presented 1,000 Uncle Ho’s portraits and 4,000 national flags, gave 10 medical cabinets and granted 120 gifts to needy fishermen, policy beneficiaries, and disadvantaged students in Rach Goc townlet and Tan An commune, Ngoc Hien district. Meanwhile, troops from Flotilla 42 distributed leaflets to disseminate information about the Vietnamese Coast Guard force and Law on Vietnam Coast Guard approved in 2018, and legal documents related to sea and islands, measures to prevent and combat IUU fishing and drugs, among others. According to Colonel Duong Xuan Duong, Political Commissar of Flotilla 42, the program contributed to tightening the military-civilian solidarity and raising fishermen’s awareness of legal fishing activities and heighten their responsibilities in safeguarding national sovereignty over sea and islands. On the occasion, the Coast Guard Region 4 Command coordinated with local authorities to clean up the beach, planted 50 trees and … [Read more...] about Coast guards stand side by side with fishermen
Vietnam joins Foodex 2018 in Japan
Foodex is Asia’s the largest exhibition dedicated to food and drinks across Japan and the whole world. Up to 20 participating businesses come from cities and provinces with strength in agro-fisheries such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nghe An, BacGiang, NinhBinh, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Can Tho, KienGiang, Lam Dong and Ca Mau. On display are Vietnamese specialty fruits, vegetables, processed aquatic products and fish oil, organic pepper, seedless lemon, rice-derived food, cakes and fruit drinks. Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export to Japan hit 130 million USD in 2017, up nearly 70 percent. The four-day exhibition attracts 3,350 firms from 80 countries and territories worldwide, and 85,000 visitors.-VNA VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam joins Foodex 2018 in Japan
Photos: Two blue whales forage near south-central Vietnam shore
Beachgoers at De Gi Beach in Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam has spent the past few days in awe of two blue whales who have been hunting in nearby waters. Dinh Thanh Tien, chairman of Cat Khanh Commune, on Friday confirmed the appearance of the blue whales at De Gi in his locality in Phu Cat District, Binh Dinh Province. The two whales are about 17 and 10 meters long, according to Tommy Toan, a local tour guide who claims to have seen them several times. They are part of a larger pod of whales that have been foraging in the waters near De Gi Beach since before August, Toan said, adding that the other members of the group have moved elsewhere. A blue whale forages in the waters near De Gi Beach in Phu Cat District, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Dung / Tuoi Tre A blue whale lunges toward fish in the waters near De Gi Beach in Phu Cat District, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Dung / Tuoi Tre “They come here to … [Read more...] about Photos: Two blue whales forage near south-central Vietnam shore
Downpour leaves at least 7 dead and went missing in Northern region
Flood is seen in Hoa Mat District of Hoa Binh Province The Vietnam Disaster Management Authority said that at least 7 people were dead and missing after torrential rain knocked out power, caused landslides, and left roads and subways submerged. Currently, the rain has not stopped, and the number of victims may still increase because the localities have not yet reported, still continuing to update. In the mountainous Northern Province of Lao Cai, 15-year-old boy Vu Duc Duy in Pom Han Ward went missing when he went through the spillway and was swept away by the flood. Elsewhere, Hoa Binh Province reported that three people were dead and two went missing. The two victims who are still missing are 17-year-old Bui Duc Thanh in Kim Boi District and 38-year-old Dinh Ngoc Huong in Lac Thuy District. According to Mr. Quach Dinh Van, Chairman of the People's Committee in Kim Boi Commune of Hoa Binh Province, at about 3pm on August 11 at Boi River, victim Bui Duc Thanh and two … [Read more...] about Downpour leaves at least 7 dead and went missing in Northern region
Naval service presents flashlights to fishermen
Accordingly, authorized by the service’s leadership, on August 10 and 11, Naval Captain La Van Hung, Deputy Political Commissar of the Naval Region 4, led a mission to work with local authorities to hand over these flashlights to 500 fishermen in Van Thanh commune in Van Ninh district and Cam Binh commune in Cam Ranh city. In each commune, the delegation inquired after fishermen, shared difficulties with the locals, and held that naval troops always actively help them in doing business. The delegation also affirmed that in any circumstances, the navy is ready to support fishermen so that they would further go fishing at sea and raise their living standards. Translated by Chung Anh … [Read more...] about Naval service presents flashlights to fishermen
Seafood exports expected to reach 3 billion USD in Q3
In July, the growth rate of seafood exports continued to slow down to 14% on the year, earning 970 USD million. (Photo baodautu.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam's seafood export value is expected to slow growth to 3 billion USD in the third quarter due to a lack of raw materials and disadvantages in the market in the second half. At the beginning of the year, farmers released shrimp due to the forecast that the weather would not be too cold. They have expected to early harvest raw shrimp . However, diseases and the quality of shrimp seeds have affected farming results. According to Ho Quoc Luc, former chairman of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers ( VASEP ) and also chairman of the Sao Ta Foods Joint Stock Company (FIMEX), there are three reasons for the shortage of raw shrimp, including disease, quality of shrimp varieties and water source. By the end of this year, the supply of raw shrimp will not be abundant, and prices will remain high, … [Read more...] about Seafood exports expected to reach 3 billion USD in Q3
Viet Nam, Poland to expand trade and investment ties
Vietnamese and Polish businesses exchange cooperation opportunities at a networking event on Thursday in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Viet Nam appreciates Poland’s continued support in pushing for the EU’s early ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and removal of the EC’s “yellow card” warning against Viet Nam’s fishing industry. Speaking at a networking event on Thursday, Nguyen Huu Nam, deputy director of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in HCM City, said these developments would help expand Viet Nam-Poland trade and investment relations. The European Parliament (EP) recently passed a report on its Indo-Pacific strategy in the area of trade and investment, stressing the importance of the EU’s free trade agreements with partners in the region. The report called on EU members to ratify the EVIPA so that it can take effect early and create optimal conditions for promoting the EU’s investment in the region and Viet Nam. … [Read more...] about Viet Nam, Poland to expand trade and investment ties